Feeding Frenzy

A few of you have asked me how we are going to feed three babies.  Hopefully this post and video will answer your questions.  We have only done this for a week or so and is subject to change, but here is what we do for now.  Our triplets eat every four hours.  This is the schedule that the NICU set for Chase and Tyler.   We decided to follow the same schedule with Ryan so all three boys would be on the same one for simplicity.  They only eat 6 times a day because they are late preterm babies.  They are very sleepy.  Most of the time we have to wake them up at feeding time.  Sometimes it is all we can do to keep them awake long enough to eat.  Other times they are wide awake and love to look at you while you talk to them. I'm sure it won't be long before they are eating more frequently and sleeping less, but for now we will enjoy it while it as long as we can.

Feeding Schedule
4:00 am
8:00 am
12:00 pm
4:00 pm
8:00 pm
12:00 am

At the beginning of each feeding time, we change their diaper and check their temperature occasionally to make sure they are staying warm.  Then we begin feeding.  In the NICU this is referred to as  "care time".  I'm sure our feeding method and schedule will change as the babies grow and get older, but for now it takes 2-3 people at every feeding.

Bringing home one baby at a time made for a very smooth transition growing to a family of six.  We simply just added the number of people to feed babies each time.  We also divide up the feedings so everyone gets a break.  The night before Tyler came home I was able to pump and feed 2 babies in an hour and  fifteen minutes.  It was nice to know that I could handle it.  Along with feeding babies, a momm’s gotta do what a momm’s gotta do to produce the baby’s milk. I am up all throughout the night, but it's worth it.  We are still having to supplement with formula, but I hope that will change eventually.

Enjoy the video!  We filmed this the first night we had all three babies at home.
It shows a glimpse into the controlled chaos in our home and should make for a good laugh.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0edZZh2-qV8&feature=share